Southampton star Sadio Mane is not unsettled and not on the brink of handing in a transfer request, according to a report in the Daily Echo, who have said claims to the contrary are incorrect.

Mane has been strongly linked with a move away from the Saints with several other Premier League clubs said to be interested in him.

Liverpool are among the latest set of the clubs to show interest in the Senegalese international, with the Daily Mail among those reporting he is an alternative to Bayern Munich's Mario Gotze - one of their chief transfer targets.

Manchester United have been credited with interest in the forward from as long ago as August last year, when Sky Sports claimed they made a bid for him when Louis van Gaal was manager of the club. Since the Dutchman has been subsequently replaced by Jose Mourinho, it is unknown whether they still hold the same kind of interest.

The Daily Mail as late as last week reported that there was interest from Tottenham Hotspur in a move for the 24-year-old.

It would appear that despite all the interest, the Saints are going to hold firm with Mane. No doubt they will want to at least keep him at the club until the appointment of a new manager with Ronald Koeman on the brink of becoming Everton's new boss.

It seems that if anyone wants to land Mane, however, that they are going to have to pay big money for the club to even consider a sale.

Ian Bolland

A journalism graduate of Liverpool John Moores University. During his time at university, Ian spent time on work experience at local newspapers in Liverpool, Bolton and Wigan, and prior to that he did work for The Observer's 'fans verdict'. Ian also has interests in news, current affairs and business but mostly sport, including football, rugby league, cricket, golf and Formula 1, amongst others.